Knit and Stitch, etc .....

Right now, at this very moment, I should be doing my homework. That's what I'd planned to do, I got up early to do it. But, it meant switching the computer on and then I got sidetracked by emails and blog reading. So, while I'm here, a quick post.

I really enjoyed the Knitting and Stitching Show - it seems to get better and better - I think it's the best of all the shows, but then maybe I'm biased because it's the easiest for me to get to. Even if you didn't want to buy anything (as if!) there is more than enough to look at to keep you busy for the day. I was working at the ArtVanGo stand on Thursday, which was as hectic as ever (no obvious signs of credit crunch)

Then on Friday, I went as a visitor with my friend Val. We had a lovely day and started by looking at the wonderful exhibitions. There were loads of things I liked but some of my favourites were I Cindy Hickok's witty embroideries, Louise Baldwin's mixed media hangings, and Jill Flower's wonderful lacy ruffs and corsages using recycled paper and stitch. The EAST exhibition, based on textiles from the Warner archive was wonderful too - I particularly liked Libby Smith's gard books and Carol Dixon's 50's inspired cushions. We then got on with the serious business of shopping, and also found time to meet up with friends (including blog-friends) for tea and coffee.

On Saturday I worked with AVG again until lunchtime, then another look around. I made a bag with Morsbags which is a really good initiative to get people to stop using plastic bags and to make their own re-usable bags. I even toyed with the idea of seeing if I could set up my own "pod" to help people make bags - but then I remembered that I need 30 hours in my day to catch up with the things I am already supposed to be doing. In the unlikely event that I find myself cleaning the kitchen floor because I've got nothing better to do, I'll have a re-think.

For no other reason, than because I'm pleased with it, here's a picture of a mousemat I had made. I ordered a mousemat for a friend's birthday, with pictures of her son James, and I decided while I was at it to make one for myself, with images of my paintings and various things I'd made. The photo hasn't come out brilliantly, but you get the idea.Thank you to all the people who have sent me suspenders for my City and Guilds project - the 'Financial Times' corset. I haven't decided which ones I'm going to use yet, and I may adapt them in some way first - but here it is in it's present state - I covered the coat hanger and free machined the words "it's time to tighten our belts".

Finally, a word about plumbers. I thought it was just me but having met up with a couple of friends this week, we discovered it seems to happen to all of us. Why is it, whenever you get plumbers in, you end up with comments in this vein ....

"Oh, yeah I can see what the problem is, whoever fitted this used the wrong size flange." or

"Well, that's what's causing all the trouble, they've put the washer on upside down." or even

"Blimey, they've only gone and used 23mm gauge piping!"

I think it must be the plumbing equivalent of a hairdresser saying "Whoever did you get to cut this last time?"

Now, homework.